The reality check was delivered by the loser. "Let's not kid ourselves," Beazley told reporters. "My challenge to Simon has come and gone, but that challenge is as nothing to what confronts him and confronts us all."

The new challenge is even greater because of the havoc wreaked by Beazley and his lieutenants in recent months. But let's not be churlish. Beazley says he will not challenge again and his supporters insist they have accepted the result.

But for how long? Beazley's concession speech, with its strong emphasis on his "vision for Australia", sounded a bit like an application to be drafted if Crean is still in trouble in the polls by year's end.

Crean's task is to use the six-month respite to demonstrate that his Medicare policy was not an aberration - that he can serve up bold, big-target ideas in other areas, especially on access to universities and paid maternity leave.");document.write("

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He also has to do what has proved impossible in the past 18 months, partly because of reasons beyond his control - connect as a credible, strong and inclusive leader with an electorate that already has a negative view of him.

The immediate task is to unite the party and it will not be easy. Stephen Smith, the architect of his health policy, has resigned and Wayne Swan, Beazley's strongest supporter, has been demoted.

Smith and Swan were two of the three MPs to go over the top in the last week. The third was Mark Latham, who has been promoted to Swan's old job. How Crean fills the Smith vacancy will either soothe or inflame tensions. A wider reshuffle makes sense, but it needs to be based on talent, not just rewarding those who have been loyal.

One supporter who should be promoted to fill Smith's shoes is Julia Gillard, who has demonstrated the ability to craft and communicate policy in the difficult area of refugees.

And Beazley? Winner and loser were gracious yesterday, but this has been a disaster for the challenger - who started and ended with roughly a third of the vote.

The impression left is of a man manipulated by those who united under the banner of "Anyone But Crean", a man seduced by his own ego. This is not the fate he deserves.

There was once a Beazley scenario. It involved remaining loyal to Crean and stepping up if he faltered after being given a realistic chance. This could still happen, but it is less likely.

Now, most Labor MPs agree that their best hope, probably their only hope, of averting the train wreck Swan predicted is to give Crean his chance, back him all the way, and hope he comes through.